Method and means for straightening weft-threads



W. S. ROWLEY.

METHOD AND MEANS FOR STRAIGHTENING WEFT THREADS- APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29. 1920.

mml so Patented My 9 e Q Q a N m N 0 :t as

Q a! k N INVEIVTUR N STATES earest eerie-a.

WILLIAM s. nowLnY. or WESTNE'W BBIGHTQN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO n. w.: BUTTERWORTH & soNs corirANY, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD AND MEANS roe s'rn ieH'rENiNe wErT-TiannADsL esa-21s.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lViLLiAM S. RoWLnY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of 'l/Vest New Brighton, Staten Island,

county of Richmond, and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Methods and Means for Straightening VVeft- Threads, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention isto treat cloth, the weft threads of which are dis placed angularly in respect to the selvages, in such manner that the ends of any weft thread adjacent to the two selvages of the web of cloth may be brought into the sametransverse alinement at right angles to the finished goods the weft threads positioned at right angles to the warps.

In subjecting woven fabrics, after leaving the loom, to various processes prior to the final rolling of the cloth for shipment, each handling of the cloth has a tendency to distort and displace the weft threads out of their original straight transverse alinement which, in the woven fabric as it leaves the loom, is at right angles to the length of the warp. This displacement is not material provided it is not excessive and the ends of the warp threads adjacent to the two selvages are in the same transverse alinement as they come from the loom, because any small intermediate twisting or displacing of the weft threads may be straightened by treatment in the tentering machine before the final rolling for shipment. It, however, happens that in most cases, the ends of the weft threads become displaced to a greater or less degree in fabrics which have been subjected to the various processes aforesaid so that the general trend of many of the weft threads is more or less diagonal and if not corrected will produce unsightly and unsatisfactory cloth; and this objectionable Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 12, 1921.

Application filed. June 29, 1920. Serial No 392,676.

condition will not be removed by treatment in the tentering machine, because it is main-- fest that the ends of the same weft threads would not be held in clamps in the same transverse alinement and consequently the distortion by displacement of the weft threads would not be rectified by treatment in the tentering machine even though the weft threads were more or less straightened as to their intermediate parts.

It is further to be understood that, aside from the fact that the two ends of the several weft threads adjacent to the two selvages of the woven fabric are, more or less, displaced in advance of each other, either at one or the other side of the fabric, there is in addition to this defect a condition in which said weft threads ordinarily assume a greater or less curved shape intermediate of their ends, and my invention is particularly intended to correct not only the displacement of the ends of the weft threads but also this curved arrangement of the weft threads at the portions of the fabric intermediate of its selvages; and it will be further under-v stood that this curved condition of the weft threads will be presented to the machine differently'according to whether the curvature is displaced backward of the ends of the weft threads or in advance of them, and hence my improved apparatus is designed to take care of these defects irrespective of which end of the fabric web may be fed to the machine in starting the treatment.

The special object of my invention, therefore, is to provide means through which the woven fabric may be fed and by which the weft threads thereof will be subjected to a straightening action, the machine having provision for causing the weft threads to be advanced intermediate of the selvages and greatest at the central portion of the web; or reversely, to cause the weft threads adj acent to the selvages to advance more rapidly than those portions thereof intermediate of the selvages, with the greatest retarding adj acent to the central portion of the web; and providing the machine further with means, for causing the weft threads toward one selvage to advance more rapidly than the same weft threads adjacent to the other selvage, said means having capacity for causing the operation of advancing the weft threads to take place at either selvage as may be re-' quired or to be shifted in its action from one V actions of said uniform treatment at'each 7 side of the web to the other side, and vice .versa, to bring the ends of the weft threads ing its passage through the straightening machine. in which it is sub ected to -treatment ,.but there is also such treatment of the weft threads that they are advanced or retarded uniformly on each side of the central line of the web to the same or substantially .the same degree, the combined side of-the central portion of the web and the concentration of'the treatment of ad--' vancing the ends of the wefts' adjacent to one selvage more rapi'dly than those adjacent to theother selvage, and vice versa, produces a composite result which not only insures the straightening of the weft threads as to their ends adjacent to the selvages but also the straightening of their intermediate curvedportions to a greater or less extent as may be required.

My inventionfurther consists of improvements hereinafter described whereby the above objects and results are attained, said improvements comprising certain operations upon the fabric, and also the organization and combination ofvparts constituting the machine, which are fully describedhereinafter and more particularly defined in the claims. Y

- Referring to the drawings; Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine for straightening weft threads embodying my inven-' .tion; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

and Fig. 3is a cross section of the same on the line wa2 of Fig. 2.

2 and 3 represent vertical beams extending from floor to ceiling and connected at intervals by horizontal frames 4; and similar frames are arranged at each side of the machine. Extending between the two side frames are a series of rollers of special con struction and which are fully illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Secured to the upright frames 2 at each side of the machine are a series of bearings in which are journaled horizontal cylindrical guide rollers 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The fabric F passes under a transverse roller 81 thence upward in contact 4 and adjustable by means of a horizontal screw shaft 20. .This capacity for adjust} ment of each end of the'roller 12 permits the roller to be adjusted at an angleto the alinementof the rollers -8 and 9 and at the same time to be adjusted to a position beadjustment of the screw shafts 2 0, they may be independently operated by means-of vertical shafts 29 having cranks; 27 atjthei'r lower ends and connected at their upper" ends with the screw shafts 20" by miter gears 28. By revolving either oneofxthe cranks 27, it is manifest that the corresponding end ofthe roller 12 may beach vanced horizontally between the rollers 8' and 9 and in that manner puttension upon 7 the fabric F, the tensionbeing' greater adj acent to one selvage than at the other and preferably said tension increasing gradually from one selvage to the other." his. roller 12 is intended to subject the fabric to' treat-- ment which may bring the two ends of a displaced weft into the same transverse alinement and said alinement at right angles to the length of the selvage and warps.

Arranged above the roller 12 and at an elevation intermediate of the guide'rollers 7 and 8, is a specially constructed roller-11 whose diameter decreases from its end to the middle and in such manner that the surface is more or less curved. This 'roller'approxi- Inates two frusta'of cones having longitudinal curved outersurfaces soas to avoidany abrupt change in surface at the center and moreover to provide greater tension action upon the fabric as the ends are approached. This roller 11. is journaled at each end in a bearing 13, which is adjustable horizontally along the middle transverse frame 4: and the adjustment is insured by a screwshaft 15. The construction is the same at each end of the machine and the screw shafts 15 are connectedso as to revolve at the same speeds by means of ahorizontal shaft 22 and bevel gears 21.. By-rotating the shaft 22, the two ends of the roller 11 are simultaneouslyad: vanced horizontally to any position between the rollers? and 8 which may be desired. This adjustment may be accomplished by means of the vertical shaft 24 having a crank 26 at the bottom and geared at 23 at the top to rotate the shaft 21. lVhen this roller 11 is advanced between the rollers 7 and 8, it is manifest that its ends will first put tension upon the selvages of the fabric F and, this tension .may be increased by further adjustment of the roller ll, and, if desired, until the middle portion of said roller acts upon the fabric. The extent of the action.

required of the roller 11 upon the fabric would depend upon the extentto which the ends of the weft threads are displacedback of the middle portions of saidv threads and which ends are required to be advanced so as to bring the said ends and middle portions of the weft all into the same trans-.

verse alinement.

In addition to the roller 11, there is still center and gradually decreases as the ends are approached, but at such a rate that there is a longitudinal curvature given to the roller. The ends of roller 10 are journaled in slide bearings 13 carried upon the upper transverse frame 4: and adjustable by means of screw shafts 14. These screw shafts 1e are coupled by a horizontal shaft 22 and bevel gears 21 and similarly to the operatingmeans in respect to the roller 11; and further, shaft 22 for roller 10'is operated by a vertical shaft 2 1 having a crank 25 at the bottom and a bevel gear 23 at the top for rotating'the said shaft 22. All of the shafts 24: and 29 are supported in a bracket 30 extending from the upright frame 2, to support the cranks 25, 2.6 and 27 in convenient position for operation.

The operation of this roller 10 upon the fabric web is the reverse to the action of the roller 11,in that its middle portion is of the largest diameter and its circumference is gradually reduced as the two ends are approached. It is manifest that if the fabric is drawn against the roller 10, it'will first contact with the middle portion and then, by proper adjustment of said roller 10, be made to contact with more or less of the length of the roller to each side of its center, and the operation of this is to cause the weft threads at the middle portion of the fabric to be advanced relatively to the portions of the same weft threads between the center and the selvages.

It is not intended, as a rule, to employ both rollers 10 and 11 upon the same web of fabric at any one moment of time, be

cause the curvature of theweft threads is generally in the same direction throughout the length of the fabric, and hence it will be amply sufficient to bring roller 10 or roller 11 into play according to which end of the fabric is first fed .intb the machine. If the weft threads are curved with .the middle portions in advance of the portions adjacent to the selvages, then roller 11 will be the one ftobe brought into play and roller 10 maybe left out of action. If, however, the fabrichad-been turned end for end in starting it through j the machine, then it would havebeen necessary to bring roller Ifv the wefts arenotcurved but merely displaced. to anangular position transversely of the web, then the'roller 12 would be suflicient to rectify the defect without bringing into play either rollers 10 or 11. It will be understood, therefore, that the machine has capacity for taking care of every character of defect due to displacement of the weft threads. V

I donot restrict myself to the direction in which the fabric passes'through the ma chine, but by feeding it first over the guide roller 31 and thence upward passing the rollers 12,11 and lOsuccessively, the necessity as to the particular manipulation of the rollers'may be determined before the fabric reaches them. However, it will be under-.

stood that when the fabricis operating in the reverse direction, passing the rollers 10, 11 and 12 in succession, the operator may observe the fabric after treatment and adjust the rollers according to requirements to insure the most perfect results.

I have described my improved method and means in that particularity which I deem to be the best exposition of my invention, and

that which I prefer in commercial practice,

but I do not restrict or confine myself tothe minor or secondary details, as such variations-may be resorted to as matters of mechanical skill and without a departure from the spirit of the invention- It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable, and while I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the details,-as the same are susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit'or scopeof the invention.

be understood that this machine,

Having now described-my invention, what 7 I claim asnew and desire to secure'by Letters Patent is:- V

1. In a machine of the character stated,

the combination ofa purality of guide rollers for guiding a web of fabric, with means for straightening the'weft'threads of the fabric comprising a weft thread straighten-' i'ng roll'v having its largest diameter at the middle and tapering" toward its ends and movable against the fabric and between two of the guide rolls, a'second weftstraightem' ing roll parallel to the first mentioned weft straightening roll and having its smallest diameter adjacent to its'middle portion and gradually increasingfrom-the center toward each end and movable against the fabric and between two of the "guide rolls, a-n'dindependent means for adjusting the two weft thread straightening rolls.

2. In a machine of the character stated,

the combination of-guide; rollers for 'uiding' a web of fabric, with a weft straig ten ng' roll having its greatest diameteradjacent to the middle of'its length and tapering there'- from' toward each end,guiding' means for V the fabric parallel to said weft straightening roll for supporting the fabric when the said weft straightening roll is moved agalnst the fabric and between the said guiding means, and means for adjusting the weft straightening roll.;

3. In a machine'of the character stated,

the combination of guide rollers for guiding a webof fabric, with a weft straightening roll having its smallest diameter adjacent to its middle portion and the diameter increasing gradually from the middle portion toward each of its ends, guiding means for the fabric parallelto said weft straightening roll for supporting the fabric when the said weft straighteningroll is moy'ed against the fabric and between the said guiding means, and means for adjusting the weft ends and movable against the fabric and between two of' the guide rolls, a second weft straightening roll parallel to the first mentioned weft straightening roll and having its smallest diameter adjacent to its middle portion and gradually increasing from the center towardeac'h end and movable against the-fabric and between two of the guide rolls, independent means'for'adjusting the two weft thread straightening rolls, a third weft thread straightening roll of cylindrical form,- and means-adjusting th ends of said roll independently, whereby of guide Y Said-"PO11 is iiibveble against the; fabric-end bQtWQGH'tWOU-f e guide rolls and w t capacity forapplying-g-reater pressure -toward one edge of the fabric than the other; and vice versa. i

the combination offguide-rollers for guiding v a web pf fabric,-witha weft'straightening rollhaving its greatest diameter adjacent to'the middle of its length 1 and'tapering therefrom toward each end, guiding'means for the fabric parallel to said weft straightening roll for supporting thefabric when the said weft straightening roll'is moved against the fabric and between the said guiding-means, means for adjusting the weft straightening roll, a weft'straightening rollof cylindrical form, and-'means for adjusting the ends of saidroll independently, whereby said roll is movable against the fabric andfbetweentwo of the'guide rolls-and with capacity for applying greater pressure toward one edge of the fabric than the other, and vice' versa.-

6. In a machine of the char'acter"stated,-; the combination of guiderollers-for guiding a webof fabric, with a weftstra'ightening' rollI-havi'ngits smallest diameter adjacent to itsmiddle portion and-the diameter-"in creasing gradually from the middle portion toward each of itsends, guiding means forthe fabric parallel to said weft straightening 5. In a machine of 'the'character stated,

roll for supporting the fabric when the said weft straightening roll is moved against the fabric and between the said guiding means, means for adjusting the weft straightening roll, a weftstraightening'roll'of cylindrical form, and means for adjusting theends of said roll independently; whereby'said roll is;

movable against' the fabric and between two: of the guide rolls and with capacity for applying greater pressure toward one edge of the fabric than the other,and vice versa.

7. In a machine of the character stated, suitable upright frames havingthree horiz'ontal guides at each end, adjustable bearings guided upon said guides, manuallycontrolled means for ad usting the bearings upon their guides, a plurality of guide rolls 7 arranged one above each other, a weft straightening roll having-its greatest diameter adjacent to its middleand tapering toward each end and journaled in one set of the bearings so as to be movable -horizontally between two of the guide rolls, a second weft straightening 'rollhaving its smallest diameter adjacent to the middle'and grad-V uallyincreasing in diameter toward each end and journaled in another set of-the bearings so'as to be movable horizontally be tween two of the guide rolls, a-third weft straightening roll of cylindrical form journaledin the remaining'pair of bearings'so as to be movable horizontallybetween two of the guide rolls, and independent means for adjusting the bearings supporting the cylindrical roll, whereby either end thereof may be moved to a greater or less extent than the other end, whereby said roll may assume an oblique direction in a horizontal plane relatively to the guide rolls.

8. The herein described method of straightening weft threads displaced in curved position in a web of fabric, consisting in feeding the web of fabric in contact with a rotary moving surface having similar surface speeds at substantially the same distances from each of the selvages of the fabric, and in which the speed of the surface varies gradually and similarly at each side of the middle of the Web of fabric, whereby curved weft threads may be straightened transversely of the fabric either by an advancing or a retarding action which is most pronounced at the middle and gradually lessening toward each selvage.

In testimony of which invention, I hereunto set my hand.

WM. S. ROWLEY. Witness:

A. BIELEN'BERG. 

